Mogherini: EU cannot take concrete measures to take Estonian security officer back from Russia ({{commentsTotal}})

Federica Mogherini, the High Representative for EU's Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who was in Tallinn on Monday, said there is not much the EU can do to help free kidnapped Estonian security officer Eston Kohver other than support Estonian authorities in their efforts and keep raising the issue with Moscow.

"We can not, as the European Union, obviously take concrete measures to take him [Kohver] back," Mogherini said, adding that measures the EU can take to support Estonian authorities in the pursuit to ensure the safe return of their officer from Russia, were discussed at Monday's meetings. "It is not for the European Union to step in, but to support and to back the Estonian authorities' activities, steps and initiatives as much as we can," she said.

Mogherini promised to also raise the issue at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

"This is one of the issues that we constantly raise, not only me personally but also through our delegation in Moscow," she said. "The Russians know very well where we stand in this case."

Mogherini and Estonian FM Marina Kaljurand also discussed the continued detention of Estonian pirate-hunters in India. The latest hearing in the case took place on Monday and the next has been scheduled for September 14. However, it remains unknown when the crew will be allowed to return to Estonia. Estonia has called the situation of its citizens inhumane.